McAuliffe spoke about the need for ethics reforms Wednesday on WTOP's Ask the Governor program.

The ongoing corruption trial of former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen should serve as the impetus for lawmakers to put teeth into state ethics laws, McAuliffe says.

"I've got to assume there's an appetite now, after what we've gone through that there'll be a real movement to pass real reform," he said.

And he hopes lawmakers will get close to the $100 gift limit McAuliffe imposed on himself, his own family, his administration and their families through an executive order. He says the tough restrictions drew a clear line for his cabinet members and those any would-be gift givers.

"You can't give me any gifts, you can't give anyone who works for me any gifts. That's the right way. ... I think it sends a strong message," he says.

He says he can accept gifts of little value like a T-shirt or baseball cap but not much else.

In Virginia in the past, if you anyone gave the governor $1 million, all he had to do was to disclose it. "We've got to get away from that," McAuliffe says.

Virginia currently has no limits to how much money can be given to elected officials as long as it's listed on annual financial disclosure forms.

And reforms passed into law this year, did not go far enough, McAuliffe says.

He says the trial, which is bad for Virginia's reputation as one of the best states for businesses, raises important issues.

"We need a government, and especially with these new challenges that we face with the Virginia economy, we need to be open and transparent," he says.

Budget cuts

The governor wants to steer Virginia's economy away from its reliance on federal spending on the military and defense contractors. Virginia's slow job growth stems from sequestration, the mandatory budget cuts imposed by Congress, according to McAuliffe.

But first he has to deal with a budget shortfall. Lower than expected revenues will require $346 million in cuts from the current year's budget plus another $536 million for next year.

Lawmakers will consider how to make those cuts during the regular session, which begins in January. But agencies have already been instructed to find ways to cut and to possibly consider raising fees assessed to out-of-state visitors or businesses.

No tax increases will be needed to address the shortfall, McAuliffe says.

Meanwhile, lawmakers will return to Richmond in September to consider changes to the state's Medicaid program. McAuliffe is hopeful they will agree to expand Medicaid and accept federal dollars that would help cover the cost of expansion.

However, legislators rejected that plan when passing the budget this summer after a months-long stalemate.

Will she run

McAuliffe, who chaired Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, also discussed the former secretary of state's political future and whether she'll run for president a second time.

"She has not made up her mind," he says. "She wants to get through this November election."

In the meantime, Clinton has wrapped up her book tour and is enjoying her summer.

McAuliffe wants her to run but says he also wouldn't be surprised if she decided not to enter the race.

He also sidestepped a question on whether he would want to be her running mate, saying that being the governor of Virginia was the "greatest job in the world."

The governor was willing to make a few sports predictions, saying the Redskins would make it to the Super Bowl and the Washington Nationals would face the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

Ask the Governor with Terry McAuliffe Aug. 27

by WTOP News

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Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signs an executive order creating a strategic plan and steering committee to help guide Virginia's economy away from its dependence on military and defense-related industries Wednesday in the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center. (WTOP/Sarah Beth Hensley)

by WTOP News8/27/2014 4:19:22 PM

Ask the Governor with Terry McAuliffe Aug. 27

by WTOP News8/27/2014 3:42:56 PM

That's it for this month. We'll post the audio and a story shortly. Thanks for joining Ask the Governor.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 3:00:00 PM

Will the Redskins have a winning season? Let's go all the way to the Super Bowl. How about the #Nats and Orioles going to the World Series?

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:59:11 PM

Would you consider extension of the Metro Blue Line from Springfield to Quantico to influence the FBI to move.

by Tom8/27/2014 2:57:13 PM

Not looking to increase the tobacco tax. Told the agencies to look at raising fees for out of state visitors, like hunting fees.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:57:08 PM

On Budget cuts - we can do what we need to do without raising taxes.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:56:37 PM

On Uber: "I've probablly gotten more emails on this Uber issue than anything else." Was happy to find a way to give the company access to Virginia. Will have to work through the legislature to make it permanent.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:56:11 PM

What is the state doing to handle the influx of unaccompanied minors? The schools and teachers are prepared to educate those children.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:49:01 PM

The illegal immigrant dumping has got to stop.

by Janice from Burke8/27/2014 2:48:58 PM

Says he loves being governor.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:45:33 PM

Clinton is enjoying her summer. Expect to hear more after the November elections.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:45:16 PM

Will Hillary Clinton run for president and will McAuliffe be her running mate? The governor laughs and says she has not made up her mind

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:44:52 PM

Gov. Thanks for meeting with the commonwealth ag community this week. The VVA and VWC were greatly encourage by your statements to help Virginia ag community grow but especially helping us put more vines in the ground and produce more wine. We are growing and will need your help to continue or as you said become no. 1. Bill Robson VWC bd member and legislative chair for the VVA

by Bill Robson VVA8/27/2014 2:41:50 PM

On heroin overdose deaths - he's working to put together a statewide task force. He plans to announce it soon. He's gets weekly report, many of those deaths are in economically depressed areas. Got to help those areas, target children who are in school. If they lose interest and drop out, they are more likely to be the ones struggling with drug addiction as adults.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:40:59 PM

On marijuana legalization: Not an issue that is drawing much interest among legislators and is unlikely to come up during the 2015 session. He'd support medical marijuana, says its something he would look at.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:36:45 PM

Governor, do we know the total cost and backlog for repairing and replacing aging infrastructure in Virginia -- from roads and transit, to water and sewer, to public buildings including schools? Should that be a priority for our tax dollars?

by Stewart Schwartz8/27/2014 2:31:03 PM

Sexual assault cases have to be handled professionally so that all sides are given a fair chance. Bringing state resources in to help campuses better navigate sex assault investigations.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:30:58 PM

The governor is talking about the executive order he issued regarding sexual assault on campus. Says it sends a very strong message. We will not accept sexual assault on campus and we will not tolerate it. Friends have to watch out for their friends, they have to take some responsibility.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:29:13 PM

Gov. McAuliffe: Thank you for supporting my organization Black Women for Positive Change by endorsing our National Week of Non-Violence August 16-23 and issuing proclamation. We

In light of the recent Michael Brown shooting, do you think that Virginia and other states need to establish any community policing to avoid possible future incidents such as in Ferguson?

by karen carrington8/27/2014 2:24:43 PM

Supports the idea of police wearing body cameras. Both sides will know they are being recorded.

by WTOP News8/27/2014 2:24:34 PM

Will Gov. McAuliffe decriminalize Marijuana for Virginia?

by John from Fairfax8/27/2014 2:21:21 PM

Why are some of VA's Cabinet websites still not up? Natural Resources, Veterans and Defense Affairs, Health and Human Resources governor.virginia.gov

by Liz from Ashburn8/27/2014 2:20:11 PM

Will Gov. McAuliffe peruse the legalization of Marijuana as has been done in Washington and Colorado? This could be a huge source of revenue for the state.

by Commentary Cat8/27/2014 2:20:08 PM

The General Assembly will return for a special session to address Medicaid. They wouldn't waste taxpayer money to come back into session just to vote against it.

Will the Governor encourage the Attorney General to pursue criminal charges against the voters who allegedly voted in both Fairfax County Virginia and somewhere in Maryland and encourage a broader review to identify others? Thanks

by Kirk8/27/2014 1:21:36 PM

Now that casino gambling is a billion dollar enterprise in Maryland. Do you think that Virginia should have Casinos?

by Rob from Sterling8/27/2014 1:21:35 PM

Governor McAuliffe, why does Virginia need same sex marriage? What will that accomplish in the state of Virginia and how will that improve the quality of life here??

by Edward8/27/2014 1:21:33 PM

Governor McAuliff, what would be the problem with leaving Virginia's gun laws just as they currently are??

by Edward8/27/2014 1:21:32 PM

Can we work with convenience store corporations to enforce safer policies that discourage petty theft? No doubt the convenience store thefts for both men in St. Louis two weeks ago lead to their demise. These stores need to be revamped internally so they have higher visibility that discourages theft and the corporations that are behind these stores need to build community relationships that would convert these stores into more of a Norman Rockwell image of communities working together. It can be done and would prevent these expensive undertakings of sending in every contindgency to dissipate riots. These stores should be required to invest some money in public safety since they are targeted for petty theft.

by Susan Mapes8/27/2014 1:21:29 PM

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